The Veteran's muscle tension headaches and migraines are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service. His benign fasciculations, likely related to exposure to sarin gas during the Persian Gulf War, have been granted service connection. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is not service-connected as there is no evidence it was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no credible evidence of muscle tension headaches and migraines during service, and concluded they are more likely due to post-service factors such as self-induced tremors. The Veteran's benign fasciculations were attributed to exposure to sarin gas during the Persian Gulf War, which is considered a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.
- Claimed conditions
- Muscle tension headaches, Migraine headaches, Benign fasciculations, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2011
- Citation
- 1134000
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1134000.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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